By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The initial enthusiasm regarding selection of a new site for the construction of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building seems to have faded away with not much progress being achieved in this regard.
Since the Assembly Secretariat is yet to form a search committee to locate a suitable site for the construction of the Assembly building, the delay is likely to prolong, an official source said on Friday.
It was during the Assembly session in April last that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution entrusting the High Power Committee (HPC) to expedite the process of construction of the new Assembly building.
However, the next step i.e., formation of a search committee to find a suitable site is yet to be initiated.
Though the HPC is in favour of constructing the new Assembly at Mawdiangdiang, protests from various quarters against land acquirement for New Shillong Township is likely to pose a hurdle.
Another problem is fund constraints as several crores of rupees would be required for the construction of the Assembly complex.
After the heritage Assembly building was gutted by fire on January 9, 2001, the State Government could not make any progress as far as the construction of a new Assembly building is concerned.